Zoner Software Launches New Zoner Photo Studio FREE Based on Version 13 (Read more...)

Innovative graphics software company Zoner Software has announced the release of a new version of its standalone Zoner Photo Studio FREE, now based on Zoner Photo Studio 13.

This very popular free and easy-to-use one-stop photo toolkit for managing, editing and sharing photos now benefits from many features new to Zoner Photo Studio 13. As always, the free edition offers a no-cost, no-hassle way to download, manage, edit, and share photos, including easy work with large batches and quick photo enhancers such as the Quick Fix window. Features new to this release include an improved Catalog, easy bullets and arrows with Insert Symbol, and a postcard maker. It also has improvements under the hood, like better utilization of multi-core processors.

Regarding the new release, Ales Hasala, Director of Development noted, “We’ve been looking forward to providing users of the free edition with the benefits of version 13 ever since we released it. We are very pleased that this day has come. Personally, I anticipate catching eyes with the postcard maker.”

Users around the globe can enjoy the new release of Zoner Photo Studio 13 FREE just like the previous one: it is available in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, and traditional and simplified Chinese.

Zoner Photo Studio FREE is for personal, non-commercial use on single computers running Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7. Download it at free.zoner.com.

Zoner Software's flagship Zoner Photo Studio 13 PRO is easy to download and compare to the free edition. Visit www.zoner.com to find a free 30-day trial.

If you like Zoner Photo Studio 13 Free, consider purchasing the Pro version, as you can read in the review I did, it is with no doubts the most powerful software for photo edition out there, just use and you will see it by yourself.

Using the free version is perfect for beginning with it, soon you will want more of this fantastic suite that allows you to make all that you can imagine in photo and image edition, and will want the Pro version, that is very cheap and with loads of features.

Upcoming Book Reviews For Blender 3D (Read more...)

Two new books have been published by Packt Publishing and  they will be reviewed this Summer here in Hiperia3D News.

They are both about the new versions of Blender, the 2.5 branch, which incorporates a modern and intuitive look with the powerful modeling and animating features of this popular and feature-rich 3D suite.

Blender 2.5 Character Animation Cookbook by Virgilio Vasconcelos, contains 50 great recipes for giving soul to your characters by building high-quality rigs. You will:

• Learn how to create efficient and easy to use character rigs
• Understand and make your characters , so that your audience believes they're alive
• See common approaches when animating your characters in real world situations
• Learn the techniques needed to achieve various setups, from IK-FK blending to corrective shape keys and eyes controllers
• The only book to cover advanced aspects of working with character animation in Blender.

Blender 2.5 HOTSHOT, by John E. Herreño, is a book from a practical point of view, that teach you how to get real works done, through a series of real-life 3D projects.

• Exciting projects covering many areas: modeling, shading, lighting, compositing, animation, and the game engine
• Strong emphasis on techniques and methodology for the best approach to each project
• Utilization of many of the tools available in Blender 3D for developing moderately complex projects
• Clear and concise explanations of working in 3D, along with insights into some important technical features of Blender 3D
• Projects that you can tweak yourself to create magnificent finished models. Have a look at Chapter 9 and Chapter 10 and see for yourself.

These 2 fantastic books will be reviewed in July and August in depth, but if you want you can get them now, today or tomorrow, and get some more, because there is still time to enter the 5 books at 75% off. See: http://www.packtpub.com/article/five-for-forty-five

Stay tuned for the reviews!

The Art Of Nacho Riesco (Read more...)

Nacho Riesco is a self-taught artist that has been learned motivated by the works of other artists, and his natural curiosity for discovering how things were done. This way, he learned a wide range of techniques, from pen to airbrush, and also pastels, watercolors, acrylic paints and oils.
Using airbrush, he created what he considers his best works, and also became a teacher of this artistic technique. He's been a professional illustrator in two ways: as a teacher of airbrushing, and as a commissioned illustrator for publishers, music companies, and individuals, although he never went full time on this.

http://www.wix.com/riesconacho/illustracion?ref=nf

Nacho Riesco is an artist of many skills, that go from traditional to digital disciplines, and masters many different areas of 3D, from modeling to fractal art, always showing great attention to detail and professional quality that makes him an unusual and talented artist.

*     *     *

- In your own words, how would you explain what your artistic discipline is?
- I think that the artistic discipline of each artist is the way you can express yourself, today my artistic discipline is the digital media
- What made you start making your art?
- The need of creating



- What skills do you think are more important for becoming an artist in your field?
- Skills are common of all art fields, first try to learn the technical basics and then start creating, know to observe, to other artist and your environment, and the most difficult thing, find the way to express yourself
- What are your sources of inspiration (favorite artists and/or things that inspire you)?
- It is hard to choose them, inspiration is everywere from a TV ad to a museum...My favorite illustrator is Oscar Chichoni, and so many others like Simon Bisley, Brom, Frazetta....



- Which is the artwork that you consider your masterpiece, and why?
- Oof...I'm not the person that has to say that...each artist is very self-critical and never knows it, i think...
- Is there some advice you may give to someone beginning in what you do?
- To be as more restless as they can, speak with other artists, experiment with new techniques, try to learn watching...



- What are your future goals in the artistic scope?
- I would like to improve my 3d technical knowledge for be able to produce better images
- What else do you enjoy doing when you're not making your amazing art pieces?
- Watching the art of the others, trough tv, movies, museums...



- Anything else, as final words, that you wish to share with our readers?
- Give thanks for my art to be interesting and inspirational for them, and keep creating!

Packt Publishing: Buy 5 Books At 75% Off (Read more...)

Read more here: http://www.packtpub.com/article/five-for-forty-five?utm_source=5for45_campaign&utm_medium=homepagebanner&utm_campaign=open%2Bsource

This Weekend: Celebrate Active Worlds 16th Birthday (Read more...)

Active Worlds celebrates their 16th birthday this weekend. The main party will be on Tuesday 28th but there are events all along the weekend!

Active Worlds celebrates their 16th year, being one of the most famous, active and veteran 3D virtual communities in the world. Don’t miss this event!

Tuesday, June 28th, Starting at 00:00 am VRT Midnight in Winter World, will start the Festival with AW Fireworks , Endless Amazing Skys and Friends coming in all through the Day & Night's Event!

See announcement here: http://forums.activeworlds.com/showthread.php?t=15488

You can see the program at: http://forums.activeworlds.com/showthread.php?p=141345

There are events from June 25th (this Saturday) to June 29th (next Wednesday).